Former Information Minister Surprised by USDP Membership Appointment

RANGOON — Former Minister of Information U Ye Htut has been appointed as an auxiliary member of the once-ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) without his prior knowledge.

For the five months since the transfer of power from a USDP administration to a civilian-led government, Ye Htut has been in Singapore, where he is a senior visiting fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS).

“I didn’t know that I became an auxiliary member of the USDP, because I was in Singapore when the party held its annual meeting. I was informed of this when I visited for a while earlier this month,” Ye Htut told The Irrawaddy, referring to a research trip back to Burma.

In the party’s general meeting in August, ex-general U Than Htay, former Minister of Energy, became the party chairman, replacing former chairman and ex-President U Thein Sein.

Local daily newspaper The Voice reported on the formation of a USDP veterans group including U Thein Sein, U Htay Oo, U Aye Myint, U Thaung, U Soe Tha, U Loon Thi, U Tin Htut, U Myint Maung and U Khin Aung Myint. It was the veterans group that appointed U Ye Htut as an auxiliary party member.

“I informed the party that I was not able to be involved in the party’s activities while I am a visiting fellow. After finishing my tenure at ISEAS, I will decide on my future,” Ye Htut said.

Ye Htut’s affiliation with the party—formed in 2010—dates back to his membership in the organization’s predecessor, the Union Solidarity and Development Association.